The fatal shooting of former Saints player, Will Smith, has rattled New Orleans. Cardell Hayes, the man charged in Smith’s death, has claimed self-defense, with his lawyers pointing out that a loaded gun was allegedly found in Smith’s vehicle.
Now, an autopsy has been performed on Smith’s body and the coroner has offered more insight into what happened the night of April 9.
According to Dr. Jeffrey Rouse, New Orleans Parish coroner, Will Smith was shot 8 times, 7 of which were in the back. He has preliminarily classified Smith’s death as a homicide. “Many of these bullets perforated vital organs, including the lungs and heart,” Rouse said. Smith was shot twice in the left upper back, twice in the left mid-back, three times in the lower back and once in the left lateral chest wall.
Hayes’ lawyer maintains that his client acted in self defense.
“Everyone was threatened that was out there,” he said Monday. “Multiple witnesses have told me that someone besides my client and his friend were behaving in a threatening nature out there on that night.”
According to NOLA.com, a video recorded by a bystander moments after Smith’s shooting shows an unnamed witness recalling the altercation in a way that indicates two people alluded to having weapons. The witness said he heard someone say: “Get out of here or I have a gun.”
“And he goes, ‘F— y’all, I got one too,'” the witness said. “And he grabs the gun and then he shoots him in the back. He’s dead.”
Hayes was arrested and held on $1 million bond.
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